November has been the worst month on record for hospital overcrowding.

It has been another month of chaotic overcrowding in our hospitals, with over 563 children going without a hospital bed.

This is dangerous for staff and their patients. Our members expect the HSE and the Government to treat this issue as the emergency it is. pic.twitter.com/W1gzEGxURf

— Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (@INMO_IRL) November 30, 2022

Figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation reveal over 12,600 people have been without beds in hospitals this month.

That includes over 563 children.

The hospitals experiencing the worst overcrowding are University Hospital Limerick, Cork University Hospital, and Letterkenny University Hospital.

The most overcrowded include:

1. University Hospital Limerick (1596 patients)
2. Cork University Hospital (1334 patients)
3. Letterkenny University Hospital (1108 patients)
4. Sligo University Hospital (783 patients)
5. Galway University Hospital (703 patients)

The INMO described the situation as dangerous for both staff and patients, and called for more recruitment, retention and accommodation of hospital staff.